$14.95

This is the SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout for the FT232RL, a small board with a built in USB to serial UART
interface. This little breakout is built around the FT232RL IC from FTDI, with an internal oscillator, EEPROM, and a 28-pin SSOP package this is a serious little chip.

With this version, we’ve corrected a few issues found with the board. These changes include fixes to the VCCIO, a change from the mini USB to micro USB connector, and a few footprint modifications. Other than finding this board much easier to use, it is still the same FT232RL breakout that you know and love!

SparkFun USB to Serial Breakout - FT232RL Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

1Soldering

Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Is the RX pin 5v tolerant? The spec sheet for the FT232RL seems to say yes in a couple places, this? (Would like to use this on a 5v Arduino pro mini without level shifting … And yes, if your wondering, I am lazy ;) ).

Yes, this is basically the same circuit we use on the FTDI basic which is designed for programming the Pro Mini. This just breaks out more pins. For true laziness I recommend the FTDI Basic which has a pinout to match the Pro Mini.

If this board is ever updated, it would be nice if there was an option for the user to supply VCCIO so this board could interface to 1.8V or 2.5V logic. I guess you might be able to do that with this board by removing the VCCIO switch, but a 3-position switch that allowed for this option without requiring disassembly would be nice even if the LEDs wouldn’t work with a lower VCCIO.

Can I use this breakout board with my Robotis Dynamixel MX64T ?
To replace this component:
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/robotis-bioloid-usb2dynamixel.aspx
to drive these motors ?
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/p/mx-64t-dynamixel-robot-actuator.aspx

To program an Arduino Pro Mini you basically need 4-5 connections. The first 2 are power and ground. Assuming nothing else is attached to the Pro Mini you can use either 3.3V or 5V power with no problem. Next is RX and TX. RX is receive and TX is transmit, meaning RX needs to go to TX and TX to RX. Sometimes you will see RX-I or TX-O, the I and O basically mean input or output and you can just ignore them. This tends to be the tricky thing is to remember to swap the RX and TX. The 5th connection is connecting the DTR pin, this is what enables the autoreset. If you don’t have this pin connected you can always manually hit the reset button. If you have any other questions feel free to email techsupport@sparkfun.com.

I have to admit that instead of using these FTDI boards, I usually use a a Teensy 2.0 programmed as a USB to serial converter. Its a buck or so difference in price but then I can always build some smarts into the converter to suit my application.

Works great, could use one feature.....

The board worked perfectly as designed but I had to do one hack first. The I/O voltage is only selectable between 3.3 and 5V while my processor runs at 2.5V. I had to remove the switch and add a provision for an external I/O voltage input. Adding a pad and some sort of jumper, etc. for this would be helpful. Thanks at least for providing the schematic, it made the mod very easy to do.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

Bits go in, bits come out.

There are much cheaper bridges available in bulk from Alibaba and Ebay, but usually they’re based on the SiLabs CP2102.

Pros:
Dual mode drivers - You can use as VCP or direct mode.
Great DLL documentation and source code examples for many platforms.
DLLs to go with that great DLL documentation.
Respectable support department has been responsive even to my hobby user questions.
One set of drivers works with serial, JTAG, FIFO, other variants of the FTDI chips.

Cons:
It’s a wee big for hobby projects where space is tight. There are some Silabs boards that are ½ or 1/3 the size. This board is pretty easy to cut down without worrying about damaging anything though.
Price - You can get equivalent function for serial only for $5 or so elsewhere, but you may have the occasional defective card.

Bottom line: FTDI chips are well supported and documented. You get piece of mind that your project will just work - the first time, every time.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

A need to have for any electronic engineer

It is simple and it can still do all you need it to, best thing is it just work. I use it both in teaching my electronic class and development of satellite instrument. At DTU Space Denmark
Best Regards
Thorbjørn H. Christensen

Works great but...

This product works great but the USB connector has come off of the board on dozens of these boards. I believe that the connectors have weak solder joints. So I reflow the solder joints on these connectors and I haven’t had any problems since.

Great job, even it's a pity the lack of 1.8 volts.

Good item at a reasonable price.
The bad side regards shipping and custom fees for all those living outside US.
In total i spent three times the original cost. May you, Sparkfun guys, activate other more convenient channels for those living in Europe and in Italy as I am? Just now, on Amazon, I found some, but not all, your products. If I could buy them with cheaper additional costs, you would be perfect!
Best regards
Alessandro

FT232RL Breakout Board is a good one!

This little breakout board came with everything needed to assemble in various configurations to fit your need. The board worked exactly as advertised, and was a snap to set up after assembly. Love the documentation provided at Sparkfun–best in class.

Board okay but data sheet not...

Board itself works okay but as this is first time I am using this board I had problem finding the correct pin connections to the other board (BT module) I am using in my project. The data sheet available in your page shows all but the simple connection diagram for 2x9 pins + additional 4 pins.

The board works as promised .

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